Poll: Fracking opposition increases in New York

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2012 file photo, Gillie Waddington of Enfield, N.Y., raises a fist during rally against hydraulic fracturing of natural gas wells at the Legislative Office Building in Albany, N.Y. President Barack Obama the f- word during his recent State of the Union speech nor did he mention the technology used to get it, known commonly as fracking. That's because the word has become a lightning rod. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)(Photo: Mike Groll, AP)

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A new poll suggests opposition to hydraulic fracturing for natural gas is increasing in New York, with the strongest opposition coming north of New York City's suburbs.

The Wall Street Journal/NBC 4 New York/Marist College survey found 47 percent of New York adults "generally oppose" fracking in the Marcellus Shale, up eight percentage points from the last time Marist polled the issue in March. A total of 37 percent support it, which was unchanged from March.

Upstate, opposition to fracking increased to 53 percent, while support was at 39 percent. On Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley, those polled were split -- 41 percent opposed, 38 percent supportive.

The poll was cheered by New Yorkers Against Fracking, which has pushed for a ban on the technique.

"Today's poll shows that New Yorkers from every region are concerned about the threats of poisonous water contamination and air pollution from fracking," spokesman Alex Beauchamp said in a statement. "Governor Cuomo must join the growing number of New Yorkers and say no to fracking."

Here's the relevant portion of the Marist poll, which carries a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points:

Jon Campbell is an Albany correspondent for Gannett's New York outlets. He's been working out of the Albany Bureau since 2011, covering Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration and the state Legislature. Previously, he was the environment and health reporter for the Press &amp; Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton. A native of Lockport, Niagara County, he's an avid Bills and Sabres fan.